OTHERS MAY-YOU CANNOT by G.D. Watson 1845-1924

                   

If God has called you to be really like Jesus He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility. God’s call will put such demands of obedience on you that you will not be able to follow other people, or measure yourself by other Christians. At times, He will let other
people do things which He will not let you do.
Other Christians who seem very religious will push themselves, pull wires, and work schemes to carry out their plans. You cannot, and if you attempt it, you will meet with failure and rebuke from the Lord.
Others may boast of themselves, of their work, of their successes, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing, and if you begin it, He will lead you to despise yourself and all your good works.
Others may be allowed to succeed in making money, or may have a legacy left to them, but it is likely God will keep you poor. God wants you to have something far better than gold, namely, a helpless dependence upon Him, that He may demonstrate His faithful love for you in supplying your needs day by day.
God may let others be honored and put forward, and keep you hidden in obscurity in order to produce some fragrant fruit for His coming glory which can only be produced in the shade. He may let others be great, but keep you small. He may let others do a work for Him and get the credit for it now. The reward for your work is held in the hands of Jesus and you will not see it until He comes.
The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch over you with a jealous love. He will rebuke you for the little words and feelings or for wasting your time. So make up your mind that God is an infinite Sovereign, and has a right to do as He pleases with His own. He does not owe you an explanation of these mysteries. But if you give yourself to be His child, He will wrap you up in a jealous love, and give you the precious blessings for those who belong, heart and soul, to Him.
Settle it forever, then, that you are to deal directly with the Holy Spirit. It is His option to tie your tongue, or chain your hand, or close your eyes in ways that He does not seem to use with others. And when you are so possessed by the living God that your heart delights over this peculiar, personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will have found the vestibule of Heaven.

MERCY

    Mornings are the best time of the day for me.  Its when I can draw near to Father God.  I am blessed with a tiny porch that has a woodsy view.  The cardinals, sparrows and other birds visit the bird feeder chirpping their "good morning" to the world.  A cup of coffee, my Katy Kat in my lap, and my Bible open completes the picture.  Oh, the still small voice of God that can only be heard in the early morning before the routine of the day intrudes!   There is an old song (I can't remember the name) about walking with Jesus in the early morning, "while the dew is still on the roses."    The Israelites always gathered their daily manna in the early morning.  "Give us this day our daily bread" means more than what we put in our mouth.  Fueling our spirit with the Word of God and prayer is even more important.  How many mornings have I missed out on all this by being too lazy to get up early enough?
     I said all that to finally get to explaining my title, "Mercy"   I usually watch the news while walking on my treadmill as part of my morning routine.  Sometimes what's flashing on the screen gags me!  I have to look away--Obama's evil face does that to me--but that's beside the point.  The reporter was absolutely thrilled to be in NYC witnessing and filming the long line of "gays" waiting to get married.   Out of my mouth popped, "God, have mercy!"
     Not audibly but I'm sure I heard Father God say, "No, I will not have mercy on that abomination!"  
     It is my understanding that when folks shake their fists in God's face, doing their "own thing" in spite of what is written in the Word of God, then, instead of mercy, only judgment can be expected.   Homosexuality is a SIN!  Its one of many, many sins that God hates!  When sin is not just tolerated but flaunted, how can we hope for mercy?
     Father, draw the lost to You that more be saved from Hell!  Raise up men of God that will preach truth!  Before its too late!  Praise Your Holy Name forever and ever!  amen                        

Cast Out the Bondwoman!

    Genesis 21:9-10  “And Sarah saw the son of Hagar, the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.  Wherefore she said unto Abraham, ‘Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.’”

     When Ishmael began mocking Sarah and her baby, Isaac, who was the son of promise,  it was time for the bondwoman and her child be cast out of the camp.  Hagar had already become too bold in her scorn for Sarah.   Remember it was Sarah’s doing that Abraham took Hagar as concubine, impregnating her with Ishmael, because Sarah had grown weary of waiting upon the Lord.  She grew weary in waiting and took it upon herself to help Father God out.  Oh, Sarah, what a mess you made!

      Hagar was from Egypt which is always a type of worldly carnality.

     Sarah is a type of the church, the legitimate bride of Christ who, like Sarah has allowed the bondwoman to gain too much power. We, too, seem to be too busy to wait upon the Lord anymore!

    Isn’t it past time for the church to cast out the bondwoman of deceptive doctrine, false and evil shepherds, and all that is not of Holy God?    We have let the Hagar/World hang around the camp too long.  She has produced evil seed that mocks Holiness and sanctification.   Truths once shining bright have grown dim.  Prosperity has taken the place of purity.  Carnality, sadly has overwhelmed the Word of God.  Scriptures are twisted to say what feels good—adding a word here and there to smother the truth.  Parts of the Bible that do not fit a feel-good theology are totally ignored or twisted!

     II Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”

    Israel was called to be a nation apart from the rest of the nations.  They were tested and tried multiple times because of their weakness for worldly things for mixing with the nations, and worshiping their idols.  Finally, they were scattered and persecuted unto the ends of the earth.  The promises of God, though, are true.  Israel is once more a nation. Its been said that the fact that Israel is again a nation after being dispersed almost two thousand years, is proof enough that there is a God! Also, they are speaking Hebrew, which was a dead language.  Even though they are a carnal nation, God is fulfilling His promises.  There has always been a remnant saved by the blood of Jesus!   God’s hand is and always has been upon Israel.  Every promise He ever made shall come to pass!  Right now Israel is a compromising nation, trying to make impossible peace with a hostile world.

    The church is a compromising church.  I believe there is a direct parallel between Israel and the church.  The church has not replaced Israel—no way.  The Jewish people, to be saved, must repent ,call upon the Name of Jesus, and be washed in His precious blood.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life for all people, Jews and Gentiles.

    The church, too, is called to be separate.   Individually, we are called apart from the grossly darkening world.  Its past time to cast out the bondwoman in our lives!  Its past time that we become the pure bride, without spot or wrinkle!   Wake up, church, can’t we see Hagar/world  has produced evil seed that is mocking the true Christ? The Hagar of the Bible produced a people who are now Islamic, who hate all Jews and Christians and are taught from infancy to wage jihad upon any who will not bow the knee to allah.  The Hagar of our souls is just as evil.   She has polluted the church. Our wedding gown looks an awful lot like filthy rags.   Cast out all that is not of God and be holy!    Time is short, oh so short! 
     Oh, Father God, purify Thy bride that we may be ready to receive You when the last trumpet sounds!  Father, just as You obviously loved Hagar and had mercy upon her, keeping her and her son alive after being cast out, so even now you love the Muslim people.  Draw them to Jesus, too.  They are deceived and lost.   Have mercy upon them.  Deliver them from the destroyer that would see them in the pit of hell!  Open up their eyes to the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ!    Give them soft hearts that will repent and surrender to You, the great I Am!     amen

LITTLE LAMB

    This poem started trickling through my head yesterday.  I think because I was thinking about my friend, Sandy.  We went to high school together in the fifties.  Among the memories a few lines of this little poem by William Blake floated along.   The trusty ol' Internet coughed it up.  Somehow it has much more meaning now than when I was sixteen years old!   

The Lamb

by

William Blake

Little lamb who made thee

Dost thou know who made thee

Gave thee life and bid thee feed

By the stream and o'er the mead;

Gave thee clothing woolly bright

Gave thee such a tender voice

Making all the vales rejoice! 

Dost thou know who made thee

Little lamb I'll tell thee

Little lamb I'll tell thee

He is called by thy name,

For He calls Himself a lamb

He is meek and He is mild

He became a little child.

I a child and thou a lamb,

We are called by His Name

Little lamb God bless thee

Little lamb God bless thee

   I couldn't resist capitalizing the He, His, and Himself.  I especially like the line, "I a child" and I am sure glad I am His child!  Oh my,  now I'm remembering,  "Mornings at seven........"

Sandy's Poem

   This morning a dear friend passed into glory.  I've known Sandy since 1954.  We graduated from high school in 1956 and over the years managed to keep in touch.  Sandy wrote two letters to my one and was always doing thoughtful things, such as sending a magazine she thought I might like, or sometimes a book.   She was an encourager with a wonderful warm heart.     She sent many lovely poems over the years and always bragged on mine.   I am going to miss her but I have the knowing that I'll see her again one day soon. 

COMFORT

A troubled world can find

Blessed reassurance

And enduring peace of mind

For though we grow discouraged

In this world we’re living in,

There is comfort just in knowing

God has triumphed over sin

For our Savior’s Resurrection

Was God’s way of telling men

That in Christ we are eternal

And in Him we live again

Sandra Heise

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

II Corinthians 1:3

   Sandy is more alive now than ever---in JESUS.   Praise His Name!!

Sanctification

     Following is an excerpt from an out-of-print book by G.C. Bevington called REMARKABLE MIRACLES.  This man lived in the beginning of the 20th century.  He preached sanctification as a second work.   Its hard for me to understand exactly what the teaching entailed but this I do know:  He was a man that loved God, was sold out to God in every area of his life, and wasn't afraid to obey and follow wherever God led him.   He had a burden for the lost and loved the poor and outcast.   He spent hours and days on his face in prayer.   He believed in "praying through" which I take to mean storming the throne of God until assured of God's attention and answer.  We don't know what "praying through" means in these days any more than we know the sanctification as described by Bevington.
     Many thought G.C. Bevington was a nut-case back in his day.  He was loved by some and hated by many.  He believed in and saw healing. He listened and heard God speak to him.  He knew how to "wait" on the Lord.  I don't think he had much money in his lifetime, nor was he afraid to work hard to earn his bread or help others.  So, what about sanctification as a second work?  I want to know more and if its of God, I want to experience it.
     In our modern world where everything is instant, easy, and tinsel-attractive, how much are we missing?  God hasn't changed.  I have longed for old-time on fire revival.  I have grown discouraged when no one seems interested, quit voicing my hopes and basically given up.  God, forgive me.  I believe we might see this old fashioned fervor again when we suffer persecution and hardship.   Until then, I'll keep looking up!

   Page 97 in Remarkable Miracles;  "Now came one of the most remarkable seven weeks of my life, right there in that man's house.  I never took off my clothes, and never preached a sermon; but just lay day and night on my face, praying, weeping, groaning, pleading, imploring, beseeching, besieging the Throne in behalf of the M.E. membership consisting of 300.  Some would get through and strike out for their friends, and they would come in wagon loads, bring their provisions and feed and often their cows, and stay until the whole lead got saved and sanctified.  Then they would strike out after someone else.  That was kept up seven weeks, day and night; no one eating, but one meal in twenty-four hours, and yet someone was out in the kitchen cooking all the time.  I got such a burden that I would not get up, but just lay there' and they would feed me like a baby.  Well, they claimed there were over 400 down there, and most of them prayed through.  Of all the times I ever saw this beat anything;  Some were praying, others crying, others testifying, others preaching, others shouting, others making restitution; but I just lay on my face, bathed in tears, and when it was all over I looked as though I had gone through a hard six weeks.  I think the most remarkable case was that of Jim's wife, as she had been of a boisterous nature or makeup.  Before this meeting she would run and shout and yell when giving her testimony.  She was the first to get through, and she lay under the power of God some sixty hours, and then was, oh, so different, none of that bold hilarious conduct; but she was so meek.  She just walked the floor, bathed in tears, wringing her hands, and not a word fell from her lips, just like a little country girl of eleven summers; and I tell you she lived salvation after that.  She and her husband and many, yes many, more lay there until they were sanctified.  Of course, news soon reached the village that I had come back there; and here the people came, the preacher as well and he got sanctified, as did his wife and many of his members.  So you see it pays to mind God and trust Him."

I CHANGE NOT!

I Am the Lord, I change not!

Why do you My Word mock?

Do you suppose that I sent My Son

that, in His Holy Name, evil be done?

 You say compromise will help to win

many who would never repent of sin,

You say bending a little won't hurt at all

that polluting My Word will sweeten My call

I say that My Word, when kept true

will draw others as it drew you

Worldly gimmicks have no place in My plan

Only obedience to Me will revive the land

Oh, you wicked and perverse generation

How you dare to cheapen My Salvation

with your wicked whoring with the world

and letting your flag of filthy rags unfurl?

I called you to be without wrinkle or spot

I said in My Word to be either cold or hot

If lukewarm, I'll spew you out of My mouth

how much more do you think I'll allow?

Oh, My people, don't delay more, please

Let me see your tears while on your knees

I have stayed My Hand because I love you so

but the time is near to deliver My final blow!

I'll no more abide your wishey washy ways

Hark!  I declare this is the ending of days

Fall on your face before Me while you can

Only the obedient shall enter My land.

Jesus wept!

Fret Not

         "Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.  For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb."   Psalms 37:1&2
          I need a special anointing not to "fret".   Seems the evildoers are especially busy these days working their iniquity upon this old planet.     Someday they will be cut down like the grass and wither like all the green herbs are doing here in this terrible Texas drought!  In the meanwhile, I admit I tend to fret. 
          Just yesterday I saw Obama is threatening to cut off Social Security and medicare if the debt ceiling isn't raised.   What?   Doesn't he care at all that he just alienated everyone in the country who depend upon Social Security?  Is there no compassion in his heart for the elderly who would not be able to pay the rent, buy medicine, buy food and other necessities of life?  Compassion?   Obama?   Ha!     
          I have a feeling that OB doesn't worry about the votes he has potentially lost because he either knows he is a one-term president or he knows a catastrophe of some sort will give him excuse to declare martial law, suspend our government and slam us into the New World Order, complete with an Antichrist.   Is OB him?   I haven't a clue but he is an evil usurper, a power mad, demon possessed horrible excuse of a president of this once-great nation.  He'll do until the real one comes along.
          The news is so full of sickening injustices and examples of harvesting the rotten seed sown in the last few decades. Many of the young people are out of control and not the young folks only.   Its a "if it feels good, do it"  society.  Its a topsy-turvy world where right seems wrong and wrong seems right. Danger and injustice abound while honesty and good morals are mocked!  Christianity, if not warped and broken, is scorned or ignored.   Its just as the Word of God said it would be at the end of days. 
          Soon and very soon Jesus shall return and set up His kingdom upon this earth.  All things shall be made new, the lion shall lie down with the lamb, and the nations will give homage to the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings, Jesus Christ.  We have that great hope!
           Before that happens, though, we must prepare for a terrible time such as has never before been witnessed by human kind.  That is saying a lot because there have been some horrendous black periods in history. 
           I pray that God's children, the bride of Christ, will all be over comers, will withstand the flood of evil that is even now beginning to wet our toes. On second thought, we may be ankle deep already!   I ask, in Jesus' Name, to make the Church strong in the strength of Jesus Christ, to enpower us with His righteousness.  Use us to witness to the lost sheep, to be lights in this sin-darkened world.  Save the souls of the lost before the door is forever closed!  Do whatever you must do to draw them to Jesus!
          Purify us and make us without spot or wrinkle.   Help us to "fret" not but to delight ourselves in You.  Let the joy of the Lord be seen upon our countenances even when we are suffering the most!  Give us compassion and love for others.   Let us never deny You or forsake You.   Father, give us discernment that we may only hear and follow your voice and not the seductive song of the evil one.   Praise the Holy Name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  You will never leave us or forsake us, no never!  Father, I love You because You first loved me.    Alleluia!    amen

He That Followeth Me

---

      A copy and paste from the Five Doves.   Obedience isn't always pleasant but the fear of the consequences of disobedience is enough for me.  I am  in a time of obeying the Lord that is not easy.  At times the rebellious monster almost turns me from this path but I know what the bible says about rebellion.   It is as the sin of witchcraft!   Serious and scarey stuff!   I want to hear Him say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." 
 

By A. W. Tozer

. . .He that followeth me. . .shall have the light of life.                                                           -  -  John 8:12.

Too many people consider Jesus Christ a 'convenience'.
We make Him a lifeboat to get us to shore, a guide to
find us when we are lost. We reduce Him simply to a Big
Friend to help us when we are in trouble.

That is not Biblical Christianity!

Jesus Christ is Lord, and when a man is willing to do
His will, he is repenting and the truth flashes in. For the
first time in his life, he finds himself willing to say, "I will
do the will of the Lord, even if I die for it!"

Illumination will begin in his heart. That is repentance,
for he has been following his own will --- and now decides
to do the will of God.

Before the Word of God can mean anything inside of me,
there must be obedience to the Word. Truth will not give
itself to a rebel. Truth will not impart life to a man who
will not obey the light. If you are disobeying Jesus Christ
--- you cannot expect to be enlightened spiritually.

No man can know the  Son,  except  the  Father tell him.
No man can know the Father except the Son reveal Him.
I can know about God:  that is the body of truth.  But I
cannot know God, the soul of truth --- unless I am ready
to be obedient.

True discipleship is obeying Jesus Christ and learning
of Him and following Him and doing what He tells you
to do, keeping His commandments and carrying out
His will.

That kind of a person is a Christian --- and no other
kind is!

---

Yours in Christ,
Paul N. F.

WHERE HAS HOLINESS GONE?

---

 

           I copied and pasted this from the Five Doves site.  This sister is saying what I have been feeling for a long time.  I couldn't have said it better myself.   Folks look at you like you came from Mars if  you mention holiness.   Conviction and repentance are rarely preached anymore.  Are there any Churches where seekers are free to pray at the altar as long as they need?   Are there even altars anymore?    Words and actions that once would have shocked the faithful are now overlooked or enthusiastically partaken of.
       Personally, I think we need the persecution that is coming.  Its probably the only way the church will be purified into the bride without spot or wrinkle.  How many will fall away rather than endure persecution?  Maybe it will be "the great falling away" spoken of, although it seems we may already be in the midst of it without  the realization by but a few. 

Heavy on my heart

Where has Holiness gone

20 – 25 years ago Christians believed and acted in Holiness.  Today, it’s alright to drink alcohol, go to the pub, smoke, watch shockingly violent and/or sexual movies where every 2^nd word is disgusting.

It’s ok just to go to church when you feel like it because other things are more important.

Where is the Godly conscience, where is the conviction??????????

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THIS GENERATION OF CHRISTIANS, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE SHEPHERDS IN THE CHURCH.

No Fear of God is taught, no consequence of sin is taught.

Oh but it’s not a sin to drink alcohol or smoke or watch bad movies?????   By doing just these few things corrupts our spirit which then leads to other things. When the non Christian takes a look at the church what does he see?????

THE CHURCH HAS BECOME WEAK, POWERLESS, EMPTY

Is Jesus coming back for this church????????????

Oh yes we talk the talk while at church and with our Christian friends but what does the world see when they look at us.

Certainly not Jesus. 

Don’t you know what the world is looking for??????

Strength, conviction, justice, truth – Holiness.  Yes they are looking for God.

Patricia S.

Tabernacle in the Wilderness

Picture the tabernacle of olden time

Standing in the hills of Palestine

From afar an odd sight seen

As is holiness to the unredeemed

Built according to God's own plan

Every inch a message to man

Revealing more than we yet conceive

Symbolic truths for us who believe

It stood in the wilderness apart

As God does in the redeemed heart

Leading Israel both night and day

Just as Jesus lights our way

Come, enter the outer court with me

The bloody alter is the first we see

Priests sacrificed there day after day

Hoping God would take all sin away

We also enter into salvation's tent

When, we at the cross our sins repent

The blood of Jesus, God's lamb slain

Frees us from all our guilt and blame

A little further, the brazen laver stands

To wash the blood from the priest's hands

Now the water of the Word purifies

When we apply it to our lives

Before us now is the door; let us enter in

Into the Holy Place roofed over with skin

Illumined by seven lamps burning bright

A picture of God's eternal light

Golden lamp stand, Holy spirit in man

Ever shining in a sin darkened land

The table of twelve loaves on the other side

Represents the Hebrew people, every tribe

The twelve tribes of Jews, God's children all

Jesus chose twelve disciples plus Paul

Jesus is the bread of life forevermore

He leads the way, He is the only door

Next, smelling sweet in the morning air

The alter of incense, showing priestly prayer

Heaven-bound prayers, as smoke to the sky

Jesus is the sweet incense, He is our joyful cry

He is our priest waving our censure of tears

Jesus opens our eyes and unstops our ears,

He, Who to Father for us intercedes,

Reads our hearts and meets our needs

Come with me deeper, deeper still

Jesus on the cross forever rent the veil

He is The Way into the Father's throne

 We are chosen to become His very own

The Holy of Holies is filled with God's glory

The mercy seat tells the wondrous story

Redeemed by the blood of Jesus, The Lamb

Fearing God, in His Presence we stand

The ark of the covenant here as in heaven

Holiness reigns, gone is all leaven

Glory, indescribly  pure and bright

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Light.

amen